Sonic boom in South Jersey causes ground shaking: officials

In South Jersey, residents are reporting they felt the ground shake. the U.S. Geological Survey denies reports of an earthquake. The reports came in shortly after 11 a.m.

SOUTH JERSEY — Reports of a "sonic boom" and ground shaking were due to military activity near South Jersey, according to officials.

Cumberland County emergency officials and the Sea Isle City Police Department confirmed a sonic boom was created due to military aircraft flying
over an area of water in South Jersey. The boom sound occurred at 11:03 a.m., around the time residents reported the ground shaking.

Officials also confirmed that the sonic boom was a "non-incident" and are not following up at this time.

Official did not report the exact location of where the sonic boom was created.

South Jersey residents said they felt the ground shake around 11 a.m. this morning, according to Jersey Shore Hurricane News Facebook page.

The source goes on to report that the cause is not related to seismic activity, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

A number of South Jersey and central New Jersey residents responded to the post with comments, stating they felt the shaking from areas including North Brunswick, Barnegat, Manahawkin, Somers Point, Toms River and Ventnor.

One resident, Chris Ryan, of East Brunswick, said he felt the shaking in Avalon.

"It sounded like a huge explosion, or maybe they were testing a super fast military jet," Ryan wrote in an email to the South Jersey Times. "I have never heard a sound like that in my life."

Anthony Donise, of Southampton Township in Burlington County, said the shaking "did not feel like a tremor," and suspected it was from military activity due to their location near McGuire Air Force Base.

"I've heard and felt similar in the past, but nothing as pronounced and close as this morning," Donise added.

Residents have also reported feeling the sonic boom in Estelle Manor and Wildwood Crest.